Image stabilization apparatus and control method thereof

ABSTRACT

A method for controlling an image stabilization apparatus includes detecting a motion status of a handle of the image stabilization apparatus. A rotation of the handle is controlled by a rotary axis motor of the image stabilization apparatus. The method further includes controlling the rotary axis motor to stop rotating in response to the motion status of the handle being a free status in which the handle is not fixed and one portion of the image stabilization apparatus other than the handle is fixed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation application of InternationalApplication No. PCT/CN2016/084104, filed on May 31, 2016, the entirecontents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to the field of photographing technologyand, more particularly, to an image stabilization apparatus and acontrol method thereof.

BACKGROUND

An image stabilization apparatus is a fixing apparatus for carrying orsupporting a photographing device. An image stabilization apparatus mayalso be referred to as a “gimbal.” After a photographing apparatus isinstalled on the image stabilization apparatus, a photographing angle ofthe photographing device can be adjusted by controlling the imagestabilization apparatus.

When the photographing device is used to capture images, an operation ofan user or an external factor may cause the photographing device toshake. In order to ensure that images captured by the photographingdevice are stable, a negative feedback system can be configured for theimage stabilization device. The negative feedback system can control theimage stabilization apparatus to perform a motion opposite to a motiondirection of the image stabilization device, by detecting a motionstatus of the photographing device installed on the image stabilizationapparatus. Thus, shaking of the photographing device may be suppressed,and stabilization of image captured by the photographing device may beensured.

A generally used image stabilization apparatus may be a three-axis imagestabilization apparatus. An operator usually holds a handle connected tothe image stabilization apparatus to operate the image stabilizationapparatus, and thus to control the photographing apparatus to align witha needed photographing direction. However, if the user holds anotherportion of the image stabilization apparatus to fix the photographingapparatus and thus to cause the handle to stay at a free status, thenegative feedback system causes each shaft motor of the imagestabilization apparatus to rotate, in order to suppress the shaking ofthe photographing device. As the photographing device is fixed by auser, but the handle is at a free status, the motor may be caused torotate continuously but still cannot suppress the shaking of thephotographing device. Accordingly, uncontrolled swings of the handle mayoccur. Uncontrolled swings of the handle can disturb the use of thephotographing device to capture images by the user. Further, because thehandle may be generally provided with a rotation limiting apparatus, theuncontrolled swings of the handle may also cause the image stabilizationapparatus to be damaged.

SUMMARY

In accordance with the disclosure, there is provided a method forcontrolling an image stabilization apparatus including detecting amotion status of a handle of the image stabilization apparatus. Arotation of the handle is controlled by a rotary axis motor of the imagestabilization apparatus. The method further includes controlling therotary axis motor to stop rotating in response to the motion status ofthe handle being a free status in which the handle is not fixed and oneportion of the image stabilization apparatus other than the handle isfixed

Also in accordance with the disclosure, there is provided an imagestabilization apparatus including a handle status detector and aphotographing apparatus motion control assembly. The photographingapparatus motion control assembly includes a handle, a rotary axis motorcoupled to the handle and configured to control a rotation of thehandle, and a processor. The processor is configured to receive a motionstatus of the handle from the handle status detector and control therotary axis motor to stop rotating in response to the motion status ofthe handle being a free status in which the handle is not fixed and oneportion of the image stabilization apparatus other than the handle isfixed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a three-axis image stabilizationapparatus.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart of an exemplary control method for controlling animage stabilization apparatus according to various disclosed embodimentsof the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of another exemplary control method forcontrolling an image stabilization apparatus according to variousdisclosed embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an exemplary image stabilization apparatusaccording to various disclosed embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Technical solutions of the present disclosure will be described withreference to the drawings. It will be appreciated that the describedembodiments are part rather than all of the embodiments of the presentdisclosure. Other embodiments conceived by those having ordinary skillsin the art on the basis of the described embodiments without inventiveefforts should fall within the scope of the present disclosure.

Exemplary embodiments will be described with reference to theaccompanying drawings, in which the same numbers refer to the same orsimilar elements unless otherwise specified.

As used herein, when a first component is referred to as “fixed to” asecond component, it is intended that the first component may bedirectly attached to the second component or may be indirectly attachedto the second component via another component. When a first component isreferred to as “connecting” to a second component, it is intended thatthe first component may be directly connected to the second component ormay be indirectly connected to the second component via a thirdcomponent between them. The terms “perpendicular,” “horizontal,” “left,”“right,” and similar expressions used herein are merely intended fordescription.

Unless otherwise defined, all the technical and scientific terms usedherein have the same or similar meanings as generally understood by oneof ordinary skill in the art. As described herein, the terms used in thespecification of the present disclosure are intended to describeexemplary embodiments, instead of limiting the present disclosure. Theterm “and/or” used herein includes any suitable combination of one ormore related items listed.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a three-axis image stabilizationapparatus. As shown in FIG. 1, the three-axis image stabilizationapparatus may provide axial adjustment capabilities in three directions,e.g., the X, Y, and Z directions, for an apparatus held by thethree-axis image stabilization apparatus. The image stabilizationapparatus includes a Y-axis motor 1, an X-axis motor 6, a Z-axis motor3, a Y-axis arm 7 rotatably connected to the Y-axis motor 1, an X-axisarm 2 rotatably connected to the X-axis motor 6, and a Z-axis arm 5rigidly connected to the Z-axis motor 3. The Y-axis motor 1, the X-axismotor 6, and the Z-axis motor 3 can cause the Y-axis arm 7, the X-axisarm 2, and the Z-axis arm 5 to rotate around Y axis, X axis, and Z axis,respectively. The Z-axis arm 5 is further rigidly connected to theX-axis motor 6. The X-axis arm 2 is further rigidly connected to theY-axis motor 1. One end of the Y-axis arm 7 that is distal from theY-axis motor 1 is connected to a photographing apparatus fixingmechanism 8 for securely mounting a photographing apparatus 9 to theimage stabilization apparatus. The Z-axis motor 3 is further rotatablyconnected to a base 4, and a handle 10 is rigidly connected to the base4.

When the user uses the three-axis image stabilizing apparatus, the usermay use the photographing apparatus fixing mechanism 8 to securelyattach the photographing apparatus 9 to the image stabilizationapparatus, hold the handle 10 by hand, and use the photographingapparatus 9 to perform photographing. The Y-axis arm 7 or the fixingmechanism 8 includes a photographing apparatus motion status detector,i.e., a detector for detecting a motion status of a photographingapparatus attached to the image stabilization apparatus, such as thephotographing apparatus 9. In some embodiments, the photographingapparatus motion status detector may include, for example, an inertialmeasurement unit. The motion status detector can detect an attitude ofthe photographing apparatus 9. During photographing, the user may adjustan attitude of the photographing apparatus 9 according to variousphotographing needs. In response to the motion detector detecting thatan actual attitude of the photographing apparatus 9 is not consistentwith a target attitude that the photographing apparatus needs to beadjusted to, the image stabilization apparatus may control the Y-axismotor 1, the X-axis motor 6, and the Z-axis motor 3 to rotateseparately, such that a current attitude of the photographing apparatus9 may be adjusted to the target attitude to which the photographingapparatus needs to be adjusted.

If the user uses the image stabilization apparatus shown in FIG. 1without holding the handle 10, but holds another portion of the imagestabilization apparatus, correspondingly, when the motion statusdetector for the photographing apparatus detects that a current attitudeof the photographing apparatus 9 is not consistent with a targetattitude and the Z-axis motor 3 needs to controlled to rotate, theZ-axis motor 3 cannot cause the Z-axis arm 5 to rotate around the Zaxis, but may cause the base 4 and the handle 10 rigidly connected tothe base 4 to rotate around the Z axis. Correspondingly, since theZ-axis arm 5 cannot rotate around the Z-axis, the image stabilizationapparatus cannot adjust the current attitude of the photographingapparatus 9 to the target attitude. However, the image stabilizationapparatus may continue attempting to adjust the current attitude of thephotographing apparatus, and thus continue causing the Z-axis motor torotate, thereby resulting in uncontrolled swings of the handle 10.

The uncontrolled swing of the handle 10 may disturb normal use of theuser, and may even result in harms to the user. For example, each motorgenerally may have a position limiting mechanism. That is, the motor canrotate only within a certain range. Thus, the uncontrolled swings of thehandle 10 may also cause the Z-axis motor 3 to rotate too fast. If theZ-axis motor 3 hits the corresponding position limiting mechanism at ahigh speed, a damage to the position limiting mechanism may occur, andthe entire image stabilization apparatus may be damaged.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart of an exemplary control method for controlling animage stabilization apparatus according to various disclosed embodimentsof the present disclosure. With reference to FIG. 2, the method isdescribed below.

At S201, a motion status of the handle of the image stabilizationapparatus is detected.

The control method consistent with the disclosure may be applicable toany image stabilization apparatus capable of adjusting a motion attitudeof an installed photographing apparatus in at least one direction. Ahandle may be connected in one direction along which the motion attitudeis adjustable. The image stabilization apparatus may be securelyattached to the photographing apparatus. By detecting the attitude ofthe photographing apparatus and by controlling the motion attitudeadjustment mechanism for at least one direction, an attitude of thephotographing apparatus may be adjusted to a target attitude.

As described above, if a portion other than the handle of the imagestabilization apparatus is fixed but the handle is not fixed,uncontrolled swings of the handle may occur. In order to suppress suchuncontrolled swings, in some embodiments, a motion status of the handleof the image stabilization apparatus may also be detected, in additionto an attitude of the photographing apparatus connected to the imagestabilization apparatus being detected.

By detecting the motion status of the handle of the image stabilizationapparatus, whether the motion status of the handle is a free status maybe detected, i.e., whether the handle is at the free status may bedetected, where the free status may refer to a status in which thehandle is not fixed and one portion of the image stabilization apparatusother than the handle is fixed. Whether the handle of the imagestabilization apparatus is at the free status can be detected by variousapproaches, such as detecting whether the handle is held or detectingwhether the motion status of the handle satisfies a motion statusfeature for the handle not being held.

At S202, in response to the motion status of the handle being a freestatus, a rotary axis motor of the image stabilization apparatus thatcause the handle to rotate is controlled to stop rotating.

In some embodiments, in response to detecting that the handle of theimage stabilization apparatus is the free status, in order to preventthe uncontrolled swings of the handle from disturbing the normal use ofthe user or to prevent the uncontrolled swings of the handle fromcausing the rotary axis motor for driving the handle to collide with andthus damage the position limiting mechanism, the rotary axis motor foreffecting a rotation of the handle and in the image stabilizationapparatus may be controlled to stop rotating. That is, the rotation ofthe rotary axis motor may be forcibly stopped, or power of the rotaryaxis motor may be cut off. After the rotary axis motor for effecting therotation of the handle stops rotating, the uncontrolled swings of thehandle can be suppressed. Accordingly, the normal use of the user can beensured, and damages to the position limiting mechanism of the imagestabilization apparatus can be avoided.

Taking the three-axis image stabilization apparatus shown in FIG. 1 asan example, the control method for the image stabilization apparatus mayinclude an adjustment on an attitude of the photographing apparatus 9through the three-axis stabilization apparatus shown in FIG. 1, andfurther include detecting a motion status of the handle 10. In responseto detecting that the motion status of the handle 10 is a free status,the Z-axis motor 3 connected to the handle 10 may be controlled to stoprotating. After the Z-axis motor 3 stops rotating, disturbance ofuncontrolled swings of the handle 10 on the user operation or use can besuppressed, and the Z-axis motor 3 crashing the position limitingmechanism caused by the uncontrolled swings of the handle 10 can besuppressed.

In a control method for an image stabilization apparatus consistent withthe present disclosure, a motion status of a handle of the imagestabilization apparatus may be detected, and, in response to the motionstatus of the handle being a free status, a rotary axis motor of theimage stabilization apparatus that effects a rotation of the handle maybe controlled to stop rotating. Thus, disturbance of uncontrolled swingsof the handle on user's normal use of the image stabilization apparatuscaused by the handle being at the free status may be suppressed, anddamage to the position limiting mechanism of the image stabilizationapparatus caused by uncontrolled swings of the handle may be suppressed.

In some embodiments, various approaches may be used for detecting themotion status of the handle of the image stabilization apparatus. Someexemplary approaches described below are taken as examples to illustrateapproaches for detecting a motion status of the handle in detail.

Approaches for detecting the motion status of the handle usually can becategorized into two types. One type can include detecting whether thehandle is held by the user. Further, a motion status of the handle atthe free status differs from a motion status of the handle at a non-freestatus. Thus another type can include detecting whether the motionstatus of the handle is consistent with a motion status featurecorresponding to the free status.

As the handle is held by the user, the handle may be subject to acertain amount of pressure. Thus, whether the handle is held by the usercan be detected by arranging a pressure sensor at the handle anddetecting a pressure that the handle is subject to using the pressuresensor. If a holding pressure at the handle is less than a presetthreshold or the holding pressure is approximately 0, it can bedetermined that the handle is not held, and it can be determined thatthe handle is at the free status. In some embodiments, a touch switchmay be arranged at the handle. When the handle is held, the touch switchmay be activated to close. If the touch switch of the handle is notclosed, it can be determined that a touch status of the handle is astatus of not being touched. That is, it can be determined that thehandle is at the free status. In some embodiments, a temperature sensormay be arranged at the handle. When the handle is held, the temperaturesensor may detect a body temperature of the user holding the handle. Ifthe temperature sensor detects a temperature that is not consistent witha human body temperature, it can be determined that the handle is at thefree status.

The above-described detection approaches are merely for illustrating howto detect whether the handle is held. The control method for the imagestabilization apparatus consistent with the present disclosure are notlimited to the above-described detection approaches, and may include anyapproaches that can detect whether the handle is held.

When the handle of the image stabilization apparatus is held, the userholding the handle may provide resistance to a rotation of the handle.When the handle is at the free status, the resistance provided by theuser holding the handle may disappear. Thus, a motion status of thehandle at the free status may differ from a motion status of the handlenot at the free status. Because an image stabilization apparatus mayhave a relatively fixed structure, a motion status of the handle at thefree status may have a certain feature. Feature of the motion status ofthe handle when the handle is at a free status can be measured inadvance. Further, a motion status of the handle may be detected duringthe operation or use to determine whether the motion status of thehandle is consistent with the feature of the free status that ismeasured in advance, and thus to determine whether the handle is at thefree status.

An example is described below to illustrate an approach to determinewhether the handle is at the free status according to a motion status ofthe handle. FIG. 3 is a flowchart of another exemplary control methodfor controlling an image stabilization apparatus according to variousdisclosed embodiments of the present disclosure. With reference to FIG.3, the method is described below.

At S301, a moment of inertia of the handle at a free status isdetermined.

In some embodiments, because the image stabilization apparatus may havea relatively fixed structure, when the handle is at the free status, themoment of inertia during rotation may be approximately a constant. Thus,the moment of inertia of the handle when the handle is at the freestatus may be determined in advance.

In some embodiments, the moment of inertia of the handle at the freestatus can be determined as follows. At a time when the handle of theimage stabilization apparatus is in a stationary status but not fixed,and one portion of the image stabilization apparatus other than thehandle is fixed, a rotary axis motor for effecting the rotation of thehandle may be provided with a rotating torque M, also referred to as a“rotative moment.” After the handle rotates for a duration of time t, arotation angle a of the motor may be obtained. The moment of inertia Jof the handle at the free status may be calculated according to theformula

$a = {\frac{M}{J \times \frac{t^{2}}{2}}.}$

At S302, rotational angular velocities (RAVs) of the rotary axis motorof the image stabilization apparatus that effects the rotation of thehandle in the image stabilization apparatus may be detected.

In some embodiments, after the moment of inertia of the handle at thefree status is determined, the motion status of the handle can bedetected at a plurality of time points during the use of the imagestabilization apparatus. The rotational angular velocities of the rotaryaxis motor that effects the rotation of the handle in the imagestabilization apparatus may be detected.

Detecting the rotational angular velocities of the rotary axis motorthat effects the rotation of the handle may include, for example, arepeatedly process. For example, in the image stabilization apparatus, arotational angular velocity ω₀ at a time point t₀ to a rotationalangular velocity ω_(n) at time t_(n) of the rotary axis motor foreffecting the rotation of the handle may be detected separately, wheren=1, 2, . . . m, and m is the number of measurements for measuring therotational angular velocity of the motor. That is, when the rotary axismotor that effects the rotation of the handle rotates, the rotationalangular velocity of the rotary axis motor may be measured repeatedly toobtain corresponding rotational angular velocities corresponding to aplurality of time points.

At S303, a relationship between an RAV difference and a reference RAVdifference is determined. Here, the RAV difference refers to adifference value between the rotational angular velocities of the motorat two measurement time points, and the reference RAV difference refersto a quotient of an integral of rotational torque of the motor betweenthe two measurement time points divided by the moment of inertia of thehandle at the free status.

In some embodiments, after a plurality of rotational angular velocitiesare obtained, the RAV difference ω_(q−p) between rotational angularvelocities ω_(q) and ω_(p) of the motor at two adjacent measurementpoints p and q may be calculated according to the formulaω_(q−p)=ω_(q)−ω_(p), where p=0, 1, 2, . . . m−1, and q=1, 2, . . . m.

Further, the reference RAV difference ω_(Δ) can be calculated bydividing an integral of the rotating torque M of the motor over the timeperiod between the two adjacent measurement time points by the moment ofinertia J of the handle at the free status, i.e.,

${\omega_{\Delta} = \frac{\int_{t_{p}}^{t_{q}}{M \times {dt}}}{J}},$where t_(p) and t_(q) refer to the times at the adjacent measurementpoints p and q, respectively, and t_(q)−t_(p)=t_(Δ) refers to ameasurement period of measuring the rotational angular speed of themotor, i.e., a time interval between every two measurements. Rotatingtorque M of the motor may be inputted into the motor and may be obtainedfrom the motor.

A difference between ω_(q−p) and ω_(Δ) between every two measurementtime points may be calculated, and may be used to determine a motionstatus of the handle.

At S304, if the difference between the RAV difference and the referenceRAV difference is smaller than a preset threshold, it is determined thatthe motion status of the handle is the free status.

In some embodiments, from the measurement number 0 to the measurementnumber m, the difference between the RAV difference ω_(q−p) and thereference RAV difference ω_(Δ) of every two adjacent measurement pointsp and q is calculated. Such a difference is also referred to as an RAV-Qdifference. By performing such calculation over the measurement timepoints, a plurality of RAV-Q differences, such as a total of m RAV-Qdifferences, can be obtained, and an amount of RAV-Q differences thatare smaller than the preset threshold may be determined. In someembodiments, if the amount of RAV-Q differences that are smaller thanthe preset threshold is larger than a threshold amount, it can bedetermined that the current motion status of the handle is consistentwith a motion status of the handle at the free status, and thus it canbe determined that the motion status of the handle is the free status.

In some embodiments, “amount” can refer to a counted number. That is,determining whether the amount of RAV-Q differences smaller than thepreset threshold is larger than the threshold amount may includedetermining whether a number of RAV-Q differences smaller than thepreset threshold is larger than a threshold number. In some otherembodiments, “amount” can refer to a ratio. That is, determining whetherthe amount of RAV-Q differences smaller than the preset threshold islarger than the threshold amount may include determining whether a ratioof the number of RAV-Q differences smaller than the preset threshold tothe total number of calculated RAV-Q differences is larger than athreshold ratio.

Still taking the three-axis image stabilization apparatus shown in FIG.1 as an example, in some embodiments, in the method for determiningwhether the handle is at the free status, the moment of inertia of thehandle 10 at the free status may be determined. Correspondingly, arotational torque M may need to be inputted to the Z-axis motor 3 toeffect the rotation of the handle 10 while the handle 10 is at astationary status but not fixed and one portion other than the handle10, e.g., the X-axis arm, is fixed. Further, after the handle 10 hasrotated for a time duration t, a rotation angle “a” of the Z-axis motor3 may be obtained, such that the moment of inertia J of the handle 10 atthe free status may be calculated according to the formula. The momentof inertia J of the handle 10 at the free status may be recorded as anintrinsic property of the image stabilization apparatus. Further, amotion status of the handle 10 may be detected under a normal operationcondition of the image stabilization apparatus. That is, the rotationangular velocity of the Z-axis motor 3 at each measurement time pointmay be detected. Further, it may be determined whether the motion statusof the handle 10 is the free status according to the rotation angularvelocity of the Z-axis motor 3, the rotating torque of the Z-axis motor3, and the moment of inertia J of the handle 10 at the free status.

By detecting the motion status of the handle to detect whether thehandle is at a free status, there is no need to arrange other sensors ordetecting apparatuses at the image stabilization apparatus, and thuscost may be reduced.

Further, an actual photographing operation may usually be performedafter a photographing apparatus is connected to the image stabilizationapparatus. After the photographing apparatus is connected to the imagestabilization apparatus, the detection and adjustment of the imagestabilization apparatus may be relatively useful. Further, an attitudedetection and an automatic adjustment on the photographing apparatus maybe activated, after the photographing apparatus is connected to theimage stabilization apparatus. If the image stabilization apparatus hasnot started the attitude detection and the automatic adjustment on thephotographing apparatus, uncontrolled swings of the handle may notoccur, and a motion status of the handle may not need to be detected.Thus, before the motion status of the handle of the image stabilizationapparatus is detected, it may be determined whether the imagestabilization apparatus is connected to the photographing apparatus. Inresponse to the photographing apparatus being connected to the imagestabilization apparatus, a motion status of the image stabilizationapparatus may be detected. Thus, unnecessary detection of the motionstatus of the handle may be prevented, and power of the imagestabilization apparatus may be saved.

In process S202 shown in FIG. 2, when the motion status of the handle isthe free status, a rotary axis motor of the image stabilizationapparatus for effecting the rotation of the handle may be controlled tostop rotating. As such, the disturbance of the undesired swings of thehandle on the user may be suppressed, and damage to the positionlimiting mechanism caused by an excessively high rotation speed and anexcessively large rotation range of the motor for effecting the rotationof the handle may be suppressed.

In some scenarios, uncontrolled swings of the handle may not disturb theuser, or the user may not be concerned much about the disturbance of theuncontrolled swings. In these scenarios, if the motor connected to thehandle is stopped, an automatic adjustment function of the imagestabilization apparatus may be disturbed, thereby causing relativelymore disturbance on the user. Thus, in these scenarios, when it isdetected that the motion status of the handle is the free status, it maybe further detected whether the rotation range of the rotary axis motoreffecting the rotation of the handle exceeds a preset threshold range.In some embodiments, when the handle is at the free status and therotation range of the rotary axis motor for effecting the rotation ofthe handle exceeds the preset threshold range, the motor may be stoppedto prevent the rotation of the motor from damaging the position limitingmechanism. In some scenarios, there may be no limit on the rotationrange of the motor effecting the rotation of the handle, e.g., the motormay not have a position limiting mechanism, or the rotation range of themotor has not exceeded the preset threshold range, the motor may notneed to be stopped, such that the image stabilization apparatus canmaintain a normal operation while ensuring no damage to the imagestabilization apparatus.

Further, in a normal operation of the image stabilization apparatus, thehandle may be held by the user. The handle being at the free status mayindicate that the user may be at an abnormal operating status. In orderto prompt the user to correctly operate the image stabilizationapparatus, in response to detecting that the motion status of the handleis the free status, a prompt message may be sent. The prompt message maybe presented by various means such as sound, light, vibration, and/orthe like. A prompt message may also be sent to the photographingapparatus connected to the image stabilization apparatus. Thephotographing apparatus may prompt the user that the current handle isat the free status by various means such as sound, image, text, light,and/or the like, such that the user may be informed of the informationand may switch to operate the image stabilization apparatus in a normaloperation mode.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an exemplary image stabilization apparatusaccording to various disclosed embodiments of the present disclosure. Asshown in FIG. 4, the image stabilization apparatus includes aphotographing apparatus fixing mechanism 41, a photographing apparatusmotion status detector 42, and a photographing apparatus motion controlassembly 43. The photographing apparatus motion control assembly 43includes a process 51 and at least one rotation mechanism 52 ofdifferent direction(s). Each rotation mechanism 52 corresponding to onedirection includes a rotary axis motor 53, where one rotary axis motor53 corresponding to one direction may effect a rotation of the handle54.

The photographing apparatus fixing mechanism 41 may be configured tosecurely attach a photographing apparatus to the image stabilizationapparatus. The photographing apparatus motion status detector 42 may beconfigured to detect a current attitude of the photographing apparatus,and send the current attitude, e.g., information indicating the currentattitude, of the photographing apparatus, to the processor 51. Theprocessor 51 may be configured to perform attitude control on thephotographing device. In some embodiments, the processor 51 may beconfigured to determine a difference between a current attitude and atarget attitude of the photographing apparatus, and to control at leastone rotary axis motor 53 of different direction(s), such that thedifference between the current attitude and the target attitude of thephotographing device may be eliminated.

The image stabilization apparatus further includes a handle statusdetector 44 for detecting a motion status of the handle 54. Theprocessor 51 may be further configured to, in response to the handlestatus detector 44 detecting that the motion status of the handle 54 isa free status, control the rotary axis motor 53 of the imagestabilization apparatus that is connected to the handle 54 to stoprotating. The motion status of the handle 54 being at the free statusmay refer to that the handle 54 is not fixed and one portion of theimage stabilization apparatus other than the handle 54 is fixed.

In some embodiments, the photographing apparatus fixing mechanism 41,the photographing apparatus motion status detector 42, and thephotographing apparatus motion control assembly 43 may constitute abasic structure of the image stabilization apparatus, and can performdetection and automatic adjustment on the attitude of the photographingapparatus. The handle status detector 44 may cooperate with theprocessor 51 to perform a control method for an image stabilizationapparatus, such as the method shown in FIG. 2. How to perform the methodcan be referenced to the above descriptions, descriptions of which areomitted here.

In some embodiments, the photographing apparatus motion status detector42 may include, for example, a potentiometer or a Hall sensor providedat a rotary axis connected to each rotary axis motor. An attitude of theimage stabilization apparatus may be calculated by detecting a rotatingangle of each rotary axis motor. That is, a current attitude of thephotographing apparatus may be obtained.

Further, in an implementation approach of examples described inconnection with FIG. 4, the handle status detector 44 may include a holdsensor configured to detect whether the handle 54 is held, and theprocessor 51 may be configured to, in response to the hold sensordetecting that the handle 54 is not held, determine that the motionstatus of the handle 54 is at a free status. The hold sensor mayinclude, for example, a pressure sensor and/or a touch switch. Thepressure sensor and/or the touch switch may be arranged at the handle54. The pressure sensor may be configured to detect a hold pressure atthe handle 54. In response to the hold pressure at the handle 54 beingless than a preset threshold, it may be determined that the handle 54 isnot held. The touch switch may be configured to detect a touch status ofthe handle 54. In response to the touch status is a status of not beingtouched, it may be determined that the handle 54 is not held. The handlestatus detector 44 may include another type of detector and/or sensor.The handle status detector 44 may include any sensor or detector thatcan detect whether the handle is held, such as a temperature sensor. Ifthe handle status detector 44 includes a temperature sensor, when thehandle is held, the temperature sensor may detect a body temperature ofthe user holding the handle. If the temperature sensor detects atemperature that is not consistent with a human body temperature, it canbe determined that the handle is at the free status.

Further, in another implementation approach of examples described inconnection with FIG. 4, the handle status detector 44 may be configuredto detect whether a motion status of the handle 54 is consistent with apre-determined free status, i.e., a free status determined in advance,and the processor 51 may be configured to, in response to the handlestatus detector 44 detecting that the motion status of the handle 54 isconsistent with the pre-determined free status, determine that themotion status of the handle 54 is at the free status. In someembodiments, the processor 51 may be further configured to determine amoment of inertia of the handle 54 at the free status. The handle statusdetector 44 may be configured to detect a rotational angular velocity ofa rotary axis motor 53 of the image stabilization apparatus that isconnected to the handle 54. The processor 51 may be configured tocalculate a relationship between an RAV difference and a reference RAVdifference between two measurement time points. As described above, theRAV difference between the two measurement time points refers to adifference value between rotational angular velocities of the rotaryaxis motor 53 at the two measurement time points, and the reference RAVdifference refers to a quotient of an integral of rotational torques ofthe rotary axis motor 53 between the two measurement time points dividedby a moment of inertia of the handle 54 at the free status. If an RAV-Qdifference between the RAV difference and the reference RAV differenceis smaller than a preset threshold, it may be determined that the motionstatus of the handle 54 is the free status.

In another implementation approach of examples described in connectionwith FIG. 4, the processor 51 may be further configured to determinewhether the image stabilization apparatus is connected to aphotographing device, before the handle status detector 44 detects themotion status of the handle 54 of the image stabilization apparatus. Thehandle status detector 44 may be configured to detect the motion statusof the handle 54 of the image stabilization apparatus, in response tothe processor 51 determining that the image stabilization apparatus isconnected to the photographing apparatus.

In another implementation approach of examples described in connectionwith FIG. 4, the processor 51 may be configured to control the motor 53of the rotary axis of the image stabilization apparatus that isconnected to the handle 54 and that has a rotation range exceeding apreset threshold range to stop rotating, in response to the handlestatus detector 44 detecting that the motion status of the handle 54 isthe free status.

In another implementation approach of examples described in connectionwith FIG. 4, the processor 51 may be further configured to send a promptmessage in response to the handle status detector 44 detecting that themotion status of the handle 51 is the free status. The prompt messagemay include indication information indicating that the handle of theimage stabilization apparatus is at the free status.

In some embodiments, the processor 51 may be configured to input arotating torque M to a rotary axis motor that drives the handle torotate, while the photographing apparatus connected to the imagestabilization apparatus is fixed and the handle is stationary but notfixed. After the handle has rotated for a time duration t, the processor51 can obtain a rotation angle a of the motor and calculate a moment ofinertia J of the handle at the free status according to

$a = {\frac{M}{J \times \frac{t^{2}}{2}}.}$The handle status detector 44 may be configured to separately detect arotational angular velocity ω₀ at a time point t₀ to a rotationalvelocity ω_(n) at time t_(n) of the rotary axis motor of the imagestabilization apparatus that effects the rotation of the handle, wheren=1, 2, . . . m, and m is the number of measurements for measuring therotational angular velocity of the motor. The processor 51 may beconfigured to calculate, according to the formula ω_(q−p)=ω_(q)−ω_(p)the RAV difference between the rotational angular velocities ω_(q) andω_(p) of the motor at two adjacent time points t_(p) and t_(q), wherep=0, 1, 2, . . . m−1, q=1, 2, . . . m. According to the formula

${\omega_{\Delta} = \frac{\int_{t_{p}}^{t_{q}}{M \times {dt}}}{J}},$the reference RAV difference ω_(Δ) can be calculated, where thenumerator in the right of the equation is an integral of the rotationaltorque M of the motor between the two adjacent time points t_(p) andt_(q), and t_(Δ) is a measurement period for measuring the rotationalangular velocity of the motor. Further, if, among the RAV-Q differences,between the RAV differences ω_(q−p) and the reference RAV differencesW_(Δ) calculated over time points from t₀ to t_(m), the amount of RAV-Qdifference(s) that are smaller than the preset threshold is larger thana threshold amount, it may be determined that the motion status of thehandle is the free status.

The present disclosure provides an image stabilization apparatus and acontrol method thereof. The control method may include detecting amotion status of a handle of the image stabilization apparatus andcontrolling a rotary axis motor of the image stabilization apparatusthat effects a rotation of the handle to stop rotating, in response to amotion status of the handle being a free status. With the imagestabilization apparatus and the control method thereof consistent withthe disclosure, disturbance on the user caused by uncontrolled swings ofthe handle of the image stabilization apparatus at the free status maybe suppressed. Further, a damage to a position limiting mechanism of theimage stabilization apparatus caused by the uncontrolled swings of thehandle may be suppressed.

Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the exemplaryelements and algorithm steps described above can be implemented inelectronic hardware, or in a combination of computer software andelectronic hardware. Whether these functions are implemented in hardwareor software depends on the specific application and design constraintsof the technical solution. One of ordinary skill in the art can usedifferent methods to implement the described functions for differentapplication scenarios, but such implementations should not be consideredas beyond the scope of the present disclosure.

For simplification purposes, detailed descriptions of the operations ofexemplary systems, devices, and units may be omitted and references canbe made to the descriptions of the exemplary methods.

The disclosed systems, apparatuses, and methods may be implemented inother manners not described here. For example, the devices describedabove are merely illustrative. For example, the division of units mayonly be a logical function division, and there may be other ways ofdividing the units. For example, multiple units or components may becombined or may be integrated into another system, or some features maybe ignored, or not executed. Further, the coupling or direct coupling orcommunication connection shown or discussed may include a directconnection or an indirect connection or communication connection throughone or more interfaces, devices, or units, which may be electrical,mechanical, or in other form.

The units described as separate components may or may not be physicallyseparate, and a component shown as a unit may or may not be a physicalunit. That is, the units may be located in one place or may bedistributed over a plurality of network elements. Some or all of thecomponents may be selected according to the actual needs to achieve theobject of the present disclosure.

In addition, the functional units in the various embodiments of thepresent disclosure may be integrated in one processing unit, or eachunit may be an individual physically unit, or two or more units may beintegrated in one unit.

A method consistent with the disclosure can be implemented in the formof computer program stored in a non-transitory computer-readable storagemedium, which can be sold or used as a standalone product. The computerprogram can include instructions that enable a computer device, such asa personal computer, a server, or a network device, to perform part orall of a method consistent with the disclosure, such as one of theexemplary methods described above. The storage medium can be any mediumthat can store program codes, for example, a USB disk, a mobile harddisk, a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a magneticdisk, or an optical disk.

Other embodiments of the disclosure will be apparent to those skilled inthe art from consideration of the specification and practice of theembodiments disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification andexamples be considered as exemplary only and not to limit the scope ofthe disclosure, with a true scope and spirit of the invention beingindicated by the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for controlling an image stabilizationapparatus comprising the steps of: detecting a motion status of a handleof the image stabilization apparatus, a rotation of the handle beingcontrolled by a rotary axis motor of the image stabilization apparatus;and controlling the rotary axis motor to stop rotating in response tothe motion status of the handle being a free status in which the handleis not fixed and one portion of the image stabilization apparatus otherthan the handle is fixed, wherein the detecting the motion statusincluding, detecting whether the motion status of the handle isconsistent with a pre-determined free status; and determining that themotion status of the handle is the free status in response to the motionstatus of the handle being consistent with the pre-determined freestatus.
 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein detecting the motionstatus of the handle comprises: detecting whether the handle is held;and determining that the motion status of the handle is the free statusin response to the handle not being held.
 3. The method according toclaim 1, wherein the detecting whether the motion status of the handleis consistent with a pre-determined free status comprises: detecting ahold pressure at the handle; and determining that the handle is not heldin response to the hold pressure at the handle being smaller than apreset threshold.
 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein thedetecting whether the motion status of the handle is consistent with apre-determined free status comprises: detecting a touch status at thehandle; and determining that the handle is not held in response to thetouch status indicating the handle not being touched.
 5. The methodaccording to claim 1, further comprising, before detecting whether themotion status of the handle is consistent with the pre-determined freestatus: determining a moment of inertia of the handle at the freestatus; wherein detecting whether the motion status of the handle isconsistent with the pre-determined free status comprises: detectingrotational angular velocities (RAVs) of the rotary axis motor at aplurality of measurement time points; calculating an RAV-Q differencebetween an RAV difference and a reference RAV difference, the RAVdifference being a difference between the rotational angular velocitiesof the motor at two of the measurement time points, and the referenceRAV difference being a quotient of an integral of a rotational torque ofthe motor over a time period between the two of the measurement timepoints divided by the moment of inertia of the handle at the freestatus; and determining whether the RAV-Q difference is smaller than apreset threshold.
 6. The method according to claim 1, furthercomprising, before detecting the motion status of the handle of theimage stabilization apparatus: determining whether a photographingapparatus is connected to the image stabilization apparatus; whereindetecting the motion status of the handle comprises: detecting themotion status of the handle in response to the photographing apparatusbeing connected to the image stabilization apparatus.
 7. The methodaccording to claim 1, wherein controlling the rotary axis motor to stoprotating in response to the motion status of the handle being the freestatus comprises: controlling the rotary axis motor to stop rotating inresponse to the motion status of the handle being the free status and arotation range of the rotary axis motor exceeding a preset thresholdrange.
 8. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: sending aprompt message in response to the motion status of the handle being thefree status, the prompt message comprising indication information thatindicates the handle being at the free status.
 9. An image stabilizationapparatus comprising: a handle status detector; and a photographingapparatus motion control assembly comprising: a handle; a rotary axismotor coupled to the handle and configured to control a rotation of thehandle; and a processor configured to: receive a motion status of thehandle from the handle status detector; and control the rotary axismotor to stop rotating in response to the motion status of the handlebeing a free status in which the handle is not fixed and one portion ofthe image stabilization apparatus other than the handle is fixed,wherein the handle status detector is further configured to detectwhether the motion status of the handle is consistent with apre-determined free status; and the processor is further configured todetermine that the motion status of the handle is the free status inresponse to the handle status detector detecting that the motion statusof the handle is consistent with the pre-determined free status.
 10. Theapparatus according to claim 9, wherein: the handle status detectorcomprises a hold sensor configured to detect whether the handle is held;and the processor is further configured to determine that the motionstatus of the handle is the free status in response to the hold sensordetecting that the handle is not held.
 11. The apparatus according toclaim 10, wherein: the hold sensor comprises a pressure sensorconfigured to detect a hold pressure at the handle; and the processor isfurther configured to determine that the handle is not held in responseto the hold pressure at the handle being smaller than a presetthreshold.
 12. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein: the holdsensor comprises a touch switch configured to detect a touch status atthe handle; and the processor is further configured to determine thatthe handle is not held in response to the touch status indicating thehandle not being touched.
 13. The apparatus according to claim 9,wherein: the handle status detector is further configured to detectrotational angular velocities (RAVs) of the rotary axis motor at aplurality of measurement time points; and the processor is furtherconfigured to: determine a moment of inertia of the handle at the freestatus, calculate an RAV-Q difference between an RAV difference and areference RAV difference, the RAV difference being a difference betweenthe rotational angular velocities of the motor at two of the measurementtime points, and the reference RAV difference being a quotient of anintegral of a rotational torque of the motor over a time period betweenthe two of the measurement time points divided by the moment of inertiaof the handle at the free status; and determine whether the motionstatus of the handle is consistent with the pre-determined free statusby determining whether the RAV-Q difference is smaller than a presetthreshold.
 14. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein: theprocessor is further configured to determine, before the handle statusdetector detects the motion status of the handle, whether aphotographing apparatus is connected to the image stabilizationapparatus; and the handle status detector is further configured todetect the motion status of the handle in response to the processordetermining that the photographing apparatus is connected to the imagestabilization apparatus.
 15. The apparatus according to claim 9, whereinthe processor is further configured to: control the rotary axis motor tostop rotating in response to the motion status of the handle being thefree status and a rotation range of the rotary axis motor exceeding apreset threshold range.
 16. The apparatus according to claim 9, whereinthe processor is further configured to: send a prompt message inresponse to the motion status of the handle being the free status, theprompt message comprising indication information that indicates thehandle being at the free status.
 17. The apparatus according to claim 9,further comprising: a photographing apparatus fixing mechanismconfigured to securely attach a photographing apparatus to the imagestabilization apparatus.
 18. The apparatus according to claim 9, furthercomprising: a photographing apparatus motion status detector configuredto detect a current attitude of the photographing apparatus and send thecurrent attitude of the photographing apparatus to the processor.